50,000 flee intense fighting in northern Gaza

The Israeli army continued its ground operation in Gaza City, with 50,000 Palestinian civilians fleeing via a temporary evacuation corridor on Wednesday and set to reopen on Thursday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his position that there would be no cease-fire talks until  Hamas releases  more than 200 people it is holding hostage.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Republican presidential candidates vowed to stand by Israel at the third primary debate.

An estimated 50,000 people fled south from northern Gaza on Wednesday as Israel continued its ground offensive in Gaza City.

Many of the buildings in the north of the Gaza Strip have been destroyed and toppled trees are a common sight.